Clare Humphries is an Australian artist who was born in Naarm/Melbourne and lived in London from 2018-2023. She completed a PhD and BFA at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University), and has lectured in substantial roles at the Victorian College of the Arts (The University of Melbourne), the National Art School (Sydney), the Royal College of Art (UK), and Norwich University of the Arts (UK).
Clare’s practice looks at the ways an intangible experience of ‘aura’ can be revealed through image and materiality. Drawing, in part, on Walter Benjamin’s idea of aura as a strange sensation of distance brought near, Clare explores experiences of unsettled perception, where notions that appear to be opposing are brought together, such as close-and-far, or past-and-present. Working with processes that merge drawing and printmaking, she depicts objects that are in transition between one state and another, or caught in a moment of suspension and haze. She is driven by a curiosity for the way encounters with things ‘in-between’ can produce moments of sudden aliveness that re-awaken our felt connections to the world around us, and arouse our capacity to be affected. Clare’s work is represented in many public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the State Library of Victoria.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022—Observances @ Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE, Bristol (UK)
2018—Near sighted @ Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
2016—Exhume @ Counihan Gallery, Brunswick VIC (AUS)
2014—I believe in the afterlife @ Site Eight, RMIT University, VIC (AUS)
2010—Material Remains @ C3 Contemporary Art Space, Abbotsford VIC (AUS)
2010—Material Remains II @ Intersections & Counterpoints, Monash University, Caulfield VIC, (AUS)
2010—Afterlife @ The Edge, VIC (AUS)
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
—(current) Seas Sings, Lumen & Wings Realm, Print Council of Aus. Gallery, (VIC, AUS)
—Spectral Scape, Grace Crossington Smith Gallery (SYD, AUS)
—Sea Sings, Lumen and Wings Realm, Albany Town Hal Gallery (WA, AUS)
2022
—Water: Works on Paper, Scoula di Graphica (VEN, IT)
—Abstract Line & Colour (4 Decades of Australian Print Workshop), APW Gallery (VIC, AUS)
2021
—Cosmic Analogues, Dirty Dozen, curated by Penny Walker Keefe (VIC, AUS)
—Ecologies of Change, ROSL Arts (LDN, UK)
—Royal Scottish Academy of Art Annual Exhibition @ RSA, Edinburgh (UK)
2020
—National Works on Paper (Australia) @ Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Victoria (AUS)
—Woolwich Contemporary Print Award @ Royal Arsenal (virtual), London (UK)
—Between the Moon and the Stars @ Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory (MAGNT), curated by Dr Wendy Garden, Darwin (AUS)
—Water @ Artery Project Space, curated by Helen Kocis Edwards, Andrej Kocis and Alexis Beckett, Melbourne (AUS)
2019
—Speed of Thought @ Newington Gallery, London (UK), curated by Alison Hand and Isabel Young
—ELP @ Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, London (UK)
—Fremantle Print Award (finalist) @ Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle WA (AUS)
—Past & Present Tense @ Crypt Gallery, Bloomsbury, London (UK)
—Prelude to a Lunar Library @ Millimetre02, Kingsgate Project Space, London (UK) curated by Finlay Taylor & Susan Johanknecht
—Between the Moon and the Stars @ Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory (MAGNT), curated by Dr Wendy Garden
—The Moon @ Geelong Gallery, curated by Lisa Sullivan, Geelong (AUS)
—Out of the Matrix 2.0 @ Hong Kong Open Printshop, Hong Kong (CHN), curated by Dr Richard Harding and Wilson Yeung
2018
—ELP@20 @ Mile End Pavilion, London (UK)
—Between the lines @ Gerald Moore Gallery, London (UK)
—Fremantle Print Award (finalist) @ Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle WA (AUS)
—Chaos and Order @ RMIT Gallery, Storey Hall, VIC (AUS), curated by Jon Buckingham
—Versed in Print @ The Poetry Society, London (UK)
—Impact 10, Caja Cantabria Social and Cultural Action Center, Santander (ESP)
—C=2ΠR=Economies of Distance @ Palacete de Embarcadero, Santander (ESP), curated by Prof. Deborah Cornell,
2017
—Geelong Acquisitive Print Awards (finalist) @ Geelong Gallery, Geelong VIC (AUS)
—9×5 NOW @ Margaret Lawrence Gallery, Southbank VIC (AUS), curated by Dr Elizabeth Gower
—Platinum @ Project Space/Spare Room, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC (AUS), curated by Anne Virgo OAM and Dr Richard Harding
—Burnie Print Prize 2017 (finalist) @ Burnie Regional Art Gallery, Burnie TAS (AUS)
2016
—Impressions 2016 @ Australian Print Workshop, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Curtain Call: 1000 2000’s SOAP @ Blindside, Melbourne VIC (AUS), curated by SOAP collective
—Eventide @ Mornington Penninsula Regional Gallery, Mornington, AUS, curated by Rona Green
—Quiddity @ RMIT Gallery, Storey Hall, Melbourne VIC (AUS), curated by Jon Buckingham
—Out of the Matrix @ RMIT Gallery, Storey Hall, Melbourne VIC (AUS), curated by Dr Richard Harding
—C=2ΠR=Economies of Distance @ Al Fanoun Gallery, Abu Dhabi, (UAE), curated by Professor Deborah Cornell
—Chroma @ Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop, VIC (AUS)
2015
—Australian Print Triennial (finalist) @ The Art Vault, Mildura, VIC (AUS)
—Print in the Post-Print @ The First China Academy of Art Printmaking Biennial, Museum of Contemporary Art, CAA, Hangzhou (CHN), curated by Yang Jinsong, Cai Feng, Li Zhenhua and Min Han
— C=2ΠR=Economies of Distance @ University of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA), curated by Professor Deborah Cornell
— C=2ΠR=Economies of Distance @ Concrete Gallery, Centre for Applied Arts, the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design, Wroclaw (POL), curated by Professor Deborah Cornell
—Storm in a Teacup @ Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC (AUS), curated by Dr Wendy Garden
2014
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints (finalist & winner) @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield VIC (AUS)
—Swan Hill Print and Drawing Award (finalist) @ Swan Hill Gallery, Swan Hill VIC (AUS)
—Seventh Skin @ Hatched Contemporary Art Space, Heidelberg VIC (AUS), curated by Claire Watson
2013
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut prints (finalist) @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield VIC (AUS)
2012
—Transparency @ University of Colorado Boulder Print Exhibition Space, Colorado (CAN)
—Found and Lost @ Leeper Library, Trinity College, The University of Melbourne (AUS)
—Fourfold @ The Light Factory Gallery, Eltham, VIC (AUS)
—Impressions 2012 @ Australian Print Workshop, VIC (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints 2012 (finalist & acquired) @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield, VIC (AUS)
2011
—Unraveled: Artists’ Books and Typographical Prints from the Banyule Art Collection @ Banyule Arts Space, Heidelberg VIC (AUS), curated by Claire Watson
—Scholarships Exposed: Where are they now? @ Australian Print Workshop, Fitzroy VIC (AUS), curated by Jackie Hocking
—Lost and Found @ First Site Gallery, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC (AUS)
—Rick Amor Print Prize (finalist) @ The Barn Gallery Montsalvat, Eltham VIC (AUS)
—Contemporary Australian Printmaking @ James Makin Gallery, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints 2011 (finalist & acquired) @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield VIC (AUS)
2010
—Ephemeral by Nature @ Deakin University Art Gallery, VIC (AUS)
—Impressions 2010 @ Australian Print Workshop, Fitzroy, VIC (AUS)
—Print Council of Australia 2010 Print Commission @ Handmark Gallery, Hobart TAS (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints (finalist) 2010 @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield VIC (AUS)
—Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award 2010 (finalist & acquired) @ Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle WA (AUS)
—Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition (BIMPE V) @ Federation Gallery, Vancouver CAN; Dundarave Print Workshop, Vancouver CAN and Tuktu Studio, Yukon, CAN
2009
—52: A Folio of Prints by Victorian Artists @ Geelong Gallery VIC (AUS), curated by Rona Green
—Thinking Through Practice: Art & Design as Research @ Institute of Contemporary Arts, LaSalle College of the Arts (SGP), curated by Professor Lesley Duxbury
—Siemens Fine Art Scholarship Exhibition (finalist), RMIT Gallery, Storey Hall VIC (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints 2009 (finalist & acquired) @ Glen Eira Gallery VIC (AUS)
—Banyule Works on Paper Art Award 2009 (finalist) @ Banyule City Council, Heidelberg VIC (AUS)
—Port Jackson Press Graduate Printmaking Award 2009 (finalist & winner) @ Port Jackson Press, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Burnie Print Prize 2009 (finalist) @ Burnie Regional Art Gallery TAS (AUS)
2008
—Ordered by Chance @ First Site Gallery, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints 2008 (finalist) @ Glen Eira Gallery, Caulfield VIC (AUS)
—Pressing Matters @ Jenny Port Gallery, Richmond VIC (AUS)
—Swan Hill Print and Drawing Acquisitive Awards (finalist) @ Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, VIC (AUS)
—Triumvirate: APW Collie Print Trust Scholarships 2007 @ Australian Print Workshop, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition (BIMPE V) @ Federation Gallery, Vancouver CAN; Dundarave Print Workshop, Vancouver, CAN and Tuktu Studio, Yukon, CAN
2007
—50: A Folio of Prints by Victorian Artists @ Geelong Gallery, Geelong VIC (AUS), curated by Rona Green
—Printmaking @ Jenny Port Gallery, Richmond VIC (AUS), curated by Jenny Port
—National Tertiary Art Prize (finalist) @ Phyllis Palmer Gallery, LaTrobe University, Bendigo VIC (AUS)
—6 Degrees Art Prize (finalist) @ Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre VIC (AUS)
—2007 Hazelhurst Art Award: Art on Paper (finalist) @ Hazelhurst Regional Gallery NSW (AUS)
—Domestic Artefacts @ Seventh Gallery, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
2006
—Printed Matter Only @ First Site Gallery, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC (AUS)
—Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints 2006 (finalist) @ Glen Eira City Council Gallery VIC (AUS)
—Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition (BIMPE IV) @ Federation Gallery, Vancouver, CAN; Dundarave Print Workshop, Vancouver, CAN and Tuktu Studio, Yukon, CAN
—Libris Artist’s Books Awards 2006 @ Artspace Mackay, Mackay QLD (AUS)
—Kodak Salon 2006 @ Centre for Contemporary Photography, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Her presence in Native Colours @ Manningham Gallery, Doncaster VIC (AUS)
2005
—Lost Time : Temps Perdu @ Artholes Gallery, Fitzroy VIC (AUS)
—Strangely Familiar @ RMIT School of Art Gallery, RMIT University, VIC, AUS, curated by Jazmina Cininas
AWARDS, RESIDENCIES AND COMMISSIONS
2019—Highly commended @ Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
2017—Winner Ursula Hoff Institute Award @ Geelong Acquisitive Print Awards, Geelong Gallery, VIC
2017—Winner John Denton Print Award @ Australian Print Workshop, VIC
2017—Artist-in-residence @ Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
2016—Commendation @ Australian Bookplate Design Award (relief category), collaborative work with Peter Humphries
2014—Winner @ Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints (acquisitive), Glen Eira Gallery, VIC
2014—Higher Degrees by Research Publication Grant @ RMIT University, VIC
2012—Acquisition Prize @ Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints, Glen Eira Gallery, VIC
2011—Acquisition Prize @ Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints, Glen Eira Gallery, VIC
2010—Artist-in-residence @ Victorian Tapestry Workshop, VIC
2010—Acquisition Prize @ Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre (Little Creatures Brewing fund), WA
2009—Australian Print Council Commission 2010, Australian Print Council, AUS
2009—Winner @ Port Jackson Press Graduate Printmaking Award 2009, Port Jackson Press, VIC
2009—Acquisition Prize @ Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints, Glen Eira Gallery, VIC
2009—Australian Postgraduate Award, Commonwealth Government of Australia
2008—Vice-Chancellor’s List for Academic Excellence @ RMIT University, VIC
2007—APW Collie Print Trust Scholarship for Emerging Victorian Printmakers @ Australian Print Workshop, AUS
2004—Winner Annual Centre Manager’s Award for Painting @ Box Hill Institute of TAFE, VIC
SELECTED INSTITUTIONAL / CORPORATE COLLECTIONS (alphabetical)
Australian Print Workshop, AUS
Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Box Hill, VIC, AUS
Curtin University, Perth, WA, AUS
City of Banyule, Heidelberg, VIC, AUS
City of Maroondah, Ringwood, VIC, AUS
City of Whitehorse, Box Hill, VIC, AUS
Geelong Gallery, Geelong, VIC, AUS
Grafton Regional Art Gallery, Grafton, NSW, AUS
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Mackay ArtSpace, Mackay, QLD
Monash University Print Collection, VIC, AUS
Mornington Peninsula Regional Art Gallery, VIC, AUS
National Art School, Sydney, NSW, AUS
National Gallery of Australia, ACT, AUS
Print Council of Australia, AUS
RMIT University (RMIT Gallery), VIC, AUS
Silk Cut Foundation Inc., VIC, AUS
Southern Graphics Council International, Indiana, USA
State Library of Victoria, VIC, AUS
Tasmanian College of the Arts, Hobart, TAS, AUS
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
University of Arizona Print Collection, Tucson, Arizona, USA
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
University of Iowa Print Collection, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, AUS
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK